minutes. Nothing is really long in there. I am
not a chef, I am not a trained chef, but I try
to meet people where they are, where every-
body can read and make use of the book. I
wrote the book so anybody can use it.
Mary: From your perspective, who
should be encouraged to purchase, A Simpli-
fied Guide to Healthier Living: Vegetarian and
Vegan Recipes? Who should become a friend,
supporter, or a health ministry messenger
for Debra’s Healing Kitchen?
Debra: Anyone that wants to begin and
sustain a healthy lifestyle. I tried to make it
where it is easy to follow. You are not inun-
dated with a lot information because a lot
of people hate it when they are inundated
with a lot of information. I try to make
healthy nutrition choices as plain as possible
to where anyone can do it… whether you
are highly educated, rich, or less formally
educated, but you have common sense. If
you are looking for something healthy to
make for your family, something that tastes
good, and it’s not really expensive—and
won’t take a lot of time, then A Simplified
Guide to Healthy Living is a good resource for
the family healing kitchen.
Mary: As we celebrate Mothers and
Fathers during the months of May and June,
what is your message to mothers who are
usually the ones that make the decisions
about what will happen in the kitchen?
Debra: Don’t succumb to what you
see advertised on the television, you have
to think for yourself, what’s best for your
family. Make sure that whatever you do,
that your family is eating a variety of fresh
vegetables and fruits, more vegetables than
fruits. Try to have more color to your food.
If you can buy organic, buy organic, and
make sure your family eats salad at least a
few times a week.
And then note that your food needs
to taste good. That is why through Debra’s
Healing Kitchen, I give you some ideas on
what to do to make your food taste good.
My favorite breakfast on the run…and
anyone can do this unless you have a nut
allergy is Fuji apple sliced—because they
are crispy and naturally sweet, with freshly
ground almond butter. You can even ground
your own almond butter or purchase in
most grocery stores.
Mary: In the Simplified Guide, you have
some recipes that are easy to cook. And
when we get down to cooking family dinner
a lot of mothers will say “I come in from
work and I am tired and all that dicing and
slicing…. I just can’t do it…all that prepara-
tion.
Debra: A couple of things, one if you
have some children that have come of age
and can help cut or chop some things, let
them do it. Your husband can help as well.
You might have a friend that you share some
recipes with, so you can alternate some of
the meal preparation. Another thing is that
you have some food sites and businesses
that sell prepared healthy foods that can
save you some time. So, you don’t have to
prepare and cook everything for the meal.
You can make a big bowl of salad and you
may want to put fish on top, a sweet potato,
or keep it simple. Remember, you do not
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